When we think about Melissa Etheridge’s music, it’s easy to remember the powerful melodies of I’m the Only One and Come to My Window. Not bad for a gal from Leavenworth, Kan. who began playing guitar at age 8—and the rest is definitely musical history. She refined her talents at Boston’s Berklee College of Music, before making the obligatory move, as so many do, to Los Angeles.

The rocker’s first self-titled album contained the hit, Bring Me Some Water. She told the world she was gay in 1993 at President Clinton’s inaugural ball, and has continued to advocate for gay rights. After a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2004, she openly talked about the disease and exactly what it felt like to face it down—she still does.

She’s been nominated for 17 Grammies, and won two, with recognition for the above-noted songs as well as for titles like Enough of Me, Breathe, and I Need to Wake Up—that tune written for the Al Gore documentary in 2007, An Inconvenient Truth. The song won an Academy Award instead.

Known for her steady touring, both solo and with her band, she’s re-invigorated with the release of her newest album—and her 12th collection of new material—This is M.E. She calls the experience of recording this one “inspiring and electrifying,” with songs straight from the heart and presented on her own new label, ME Records. She’s made some healthy changes and shares them with us here, as she encourages us all to know ourselves better.

Melissa, you faced down breast cancer and became an advocate for breast cancer awareness. You’ve adopted a healthy lifestyle, and we’d love to know more about it.Once I got into my 40s, I realized that this body has put up with a lot of stuff, including stress, lack of sleep and certainly horrendous food. At some point we have to take responsibility—not that we have to stop having fun, not that we’ve done anything wrong, or need to feel guilty about it. I knew it was about time to step into a certain amount of maturity if I wanted to continue to create at a peak level. In my 50s I understand things more and life is richer and fuller.

I’m not so worried about the little stuff anymore, and I want my body to be able to handle and provide me the support I need to enjoy things. This comes from understanding that my health is my responsibility. It’s a change that I had in my thought process from 10 years ago when I had breast cancer. With all the research I did, I really wanted to know what is this cancer, where did it come from, and why do so many people get it? I knew it wasn’t something you catch from someone. I believed that if there was a harmful gene mutation in the family, my body was at a higher percentage of risk so that if I didn’t take care of it, the cells could break down and become cancerous.

Our bodies were made to run on whole foods—vegetables, fruits and whole grains. The more real food I put into my body, the better the machine works.

So, how do you Mind Your Body with what you eat? Did your diet change as a result of your breast cancer diagnosis?I believe the number one thing that changed my health was removing refined sugar. I sweeten with coconut sugar and other alkaline sugars. I define foods into alkaline and acidic categories: If I keep it at 70 percent alkaline and 30 percent acid, I’m good.

(Note: The goal of this diet is to balance the body’s pH with alkaline-forming foods that include vegetables, natural fruits—especially lemon—lentils, almonds, sprouted grains, seeds, spices, soy and tofu.)

You’ve used medical marijuana. How has it helped you? Any downsides?It will change so much of our world when the social stigma behind cannabis is lightened. Adults are allowed to choose the kind of relaxation they enjoy. Looking at it medicinally, cannabis does so much for people who are on chemo. It gave me an appetite, relieved stress and depression, and helped with pain relief—instead of taking five different drugs that have crazy side effects. And remember that nobody’s had an accidental cannabis overdose.

How about physical activity? What do you do to stay active?First is to walk, walk, walk and just move, move and move, all the time. I have lovely trails for hiking where I live. I just try to get out for 30 minutes. And I do yoga: It will save the world because it’s so good for you on so many levels, with those long, stretching movements. When I can, I do kick-boxing and a trainer comes to me.

What could you do better for yourself?It’s about listening to myself, really sitting down and asking ‘What’s going on?’ and ‘What do I want?’ ‘Is there something that’s going to fill some part of me that’s not filled?’ It’s about getting to know myself and not nagging at things.

How do you maintain mental balance?I talk and let it out—communicate. Things are so much bigger inside our minds, and not so much once you get it out.

Let’s talk about your fabulous new album, This is M.E. You said ‘song after song was a great experience.’ Why is this one different, do you think?This is my first independent record. I took responsibility for it creatively and had to go, ‘Ok. This is something that needs to be big and important.’ I collaborated with a lot more people than usual.

You’re touring again. Touring and traveling are hard for most people, period. What do you do to take care of yourself and not get exhausted?It’s all about regimen. I’m very strict about sleep and that’s so important. I can’t sing if I’m not rested. My voice is like a muscle for an athlete. Also, my own chef on the road cooks for all of us—very healthy, no sugar, gluten free and dairy free, with acidic things. Oh, I do stay gluten free at home, but I like aged cheeses—dairy. Moderation is always key.

What makes you happiest now? You have so much to be thankful for!My family: I know it’s a cliché, but I enjoy them so much!

A few health news headlines caught my eye this week, and you can see them here>>

Stephanie Stephens, M.A., is a spokesperson and host for the active, mature female demographic—midlife and boomer. She writes, produces, and hosts her multimedia channel, Mind Your Body TV, featuring timely health and lifestyle blogs, podcasts, and videos—also seen on YouTube and syndicated by AOL/On

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